Reverse current circuit breaker



Jan. 9, 1951 J. F. o'BRlEN E-rAL 2,537,080

REvERsE CURRENT CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed April 19, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 l f r 'IH QN oD Y A.. i @x1 TQM E @WM5 M EM .m 1 lx H @i A i .o Lwm Q m H A m m l@ llll .v`\ B f Q \D\ WWW W. m dg wmwz E@ N EE E@ E Mm THW .M d@ -LMI \mll\ ,2 m N Jan. 9, 1951 J. F. oBRn-:N Erm. 2,537,080

REvERsE CURRENT CIRCUIT BREARER Filed April 19, 1945 4 sheets-sheet 2 N INVENTOR5 JOSEPH F. OBRIEN JOHN B. CATALDO Jan. 9, 1951 J. F. o'BRlEN ETAL 2,537,080

REVERSE CURRENT CIRCUIT BREAKER Filed April 19, 1945 4 Shee-tsSheet 3 q ,n cn INVENToR5 m LC?) Ln In a JOSEPH f2.0'z21EN J. HN B. CATALOG BY TOP/V E Y J. F. OBRIEN ETAL REVERSE CURRENT CIRCUIT BREAKER Jan. 9, 1951 4 Sheets-.Sheet 4 Filed April 19, 1945 Ev mmm m Y TRL A E www/N N L. HBU #HO Patented Jan. 9, 1951 REVERSE CURRENT CIRCUIT BREAKER Joseph F. OBrien, Lebanon, and John B. Cataldo, Summit, N. J., assignors to J ohn B. Pierce Foundation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application April 19, 1945, Serial No. 589,204

7 Claims. (Cl. 20G-106) The present invention relates to an improved reverse current circuit breaker.

Pursuant to the invention, the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker comprises a switch rod carrying or controlling contacts arranged to close and open the load circuit, a latching mechanism co-acting with such switch rod to positively hold the shaft in iirm circuit-closing position, such latching mechanism comprising a selfbalancing member carrying an armature element responsive to the magnetic flux generated by the direct current of the load-circuit and co-operating with suitable `permanent magnetic means whereby the latching mechanism when in circuitclosing position is substantially free from displacement under conditions of mechanical shocks or vibrations, and under condition of reversed current effects instant unlatching of such switch rod and the opening of the circuit breaker and consequent disconnection of the load circuit with the generator.

A feature of the present invention resides in the employment of an auxiliary circuit, connected to or controlling the i'leld coils of the direct current generator, whereby upon actuation of the circuit breaker to circuit-closing position of the load circuit, the circuit of the field coils is closed, and whereby upon actuation of the circuit breaker to circuit-opening position of the load circuit, the circuit of the generator field coils is opened, thereby rendering the generator incapable of generation of electrical current, notwithstanding the continued rotation of its rotor.

The invention embodies the further improvement in combination with a disk typejof snap spring, of a coil spring, co-operating jointly with such snap disk to control the switch rod operating mechanism of the circuit breaker, functioning among other advantages to enlarge the throw of such switch rod and thereby increase the contact-breaking gap of the circuit breaker.

Other structural features of the invention include the reduction of friction of the moving parts of the circuit breaker proper, calibration of the magnetic eld jointly engendered by the permanent magnet and the load circuit, and improvements generally in enhancing the responsiveness of the circuit breaker to reversal of current in the load circuit while maintaining substantially complete freedom from disturbance of the operating parts due to mechanical shocks or vibrations, or bodily movement including bodily rotation of the circuit breaker and its associated parts.

The above stated structural and functional features render the invention particularly applicable to use on airplanes, including bombers and fighters, and to like vehicles which are subject to mechanical shocks and vibrations and considerable bodily movement.

Further features and objects of the invention will be lmore fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a vertical sectional view on line I-I of Fig. 2 of a preferred embodiment of the invention; this view illustrates the circuit breaker in circuit-closing position.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical central sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, and shows the circuit breaker in circuit-closing position.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional View on line 4--4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view on line 1--1 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a detail horizontal sectional view on line 8-8 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a schematic view of certain essential parts of the reverse current circuit breaker shown in the preceding gures and embodies a diagram of the circuit connections. Fig. 9 shows the circuit breaker in circuit-closing position.

Fig. 10 is a schematic view of the parts corresponding to Fig. 9, but showing the circuit breaker in circuit-open position.

Referring first to Figs. 9 and 10 respectively illustrating schematically a direct current generator control circuit, typical of a circuit arrangement to which the present reverse current circuit breaker is applicable, 2D represents a suitable base, of suitable insulation material, to which is aiiixed the bus sections 2|, 2 la, secured as by the set screws 22, and respectively provided with terminals 23, 24, which are suitably connected respectively with the direct current generator 25 and the positive bus of the load circuit. Specifically, the indicated circuit diagram of Fig. 9 shows the connection of one pole of the generator 25 connected through leads 26, 21, to the stated bus terminal 23 and the lead 28 connecting the stated bus terminal 24 to the positive bus 28a. The return circuit is usually grounded, as through the lead 29 of the opposite pole of the generator running to Ground indicated at 30, and connections to Ground indicated at 30a, of the negative terminals of the respective motors and other instrumentaiities, usually including a storage battery. The diagrammatic circuit shows further the connection of the lead 3| from the stated opposite pole vof the generator through generator 'el'd'fcoils indicated at 32 and thence by the lead 33 to the switch associated with the circuit breaker proper comprising the contact 34. the bridging contact strip 35 and the contact 36; the contact 36 is shown connected by the lead 31 through the voltage regulator Y38, of the `direct vcurrent generator 25, and thence by the leads 39, 26, to the stated opposite pole of the generator 25. The circuit may include a Generator relay, so marked, connected betweenthe-'leads y26, 21, as shown.

In the diagram of Fig. 9, the contact'strip'35 is indicated as carried on the under face of the rels'et bufttoifi v54) of the circuit 'breaker The contacts 34, 35, are "suitably mounted whereby up'o'n manual 'operation of the re-set button '40, the coiita'cYt-strip '35 'bridges the Vcontacts 34, .35, aslis indicated in Fig. 9 under the Vcondition of circuit-closure of the ei'rcuit-breakeryupon opening-of thef'circuit breaker, and consequent up- Ward movement of the re-set button Y4l] coincid'e'nt L'-to 'Ycircuiteopen position of the circuit breaker, the contact strip 35 is moved to its circuit-opening position relative to the contact'sf34, 36, as 'is -indicatediin Fig. '10.

Esseiitiallm the'reverse current lcircuit breaker comprises an operatingfswi-tch rod '4I controlled by theire-setbutt'on4@ as by'mounting the latter at the upper end of the former, such switch rod 4I being r'eeipr'ocall'y mounted within suitable 'giiiderneansfand actuated under conditions of circuit-opening of the circuit 'breaker by suitable snap actuating means.

As indicated in Figs. 9 and 10, and shown in dtailin-Fig's. 1,3and 5, the bus sections 2-l.,-2la, are respectively provided attheir juxtaposed but spacedfend 4'portions V42, 4`3,`with contacts 44, 45, with which co-operate the contacts "46, 41, mounted uponcafsuitable shorting bar48 carried by or otherwise controlled by the actuating Switch "iod T41 As indicated in Figs. 9 and 1'0,.and shown more patieularlyinf-Figs. 1, 3 and 5, preferred embodi- `ments 'of the instant invention comprise a snap spring i'of the disk type, one lformo'f 'which is illustrated in 8, in this instance a3-'radial type of snap disk spring 49, which desirablyhas ai-'snglelp'osition of stable equilibrium.

@Snap `Lisp-rings of the disk type of the ldouble position as well asa single position of equilibrium are illustrated and described more particularly in the icop'ending'application of William E. Stilvtle'll,- 'Jr.,f Serial No. 441,382, filed May 1, 1942, now :Patent No. 2,358,357, September 19, 1944, andithe lth'ereof continuation application ASerial No.'628,447, led November 14, 1945.

4Asfsp-5c1`lcally illustrated in Figs. 1 through 5, lth'efswit'c'h.rod 4l is reciprocally mounted inthe frame t55, the upper end of the shaft extending sl'idably-through'a suitable opening in the upper member 50a Vof such frame. The snap disk 49is 4mountetlrin the carriage V5l which is'slidably se` cur'edtoitheswitch 'rod 4| by the sleeve 52 hav'- ingthe aligned slots 53 co-operating with Vthe pin .54,"lwhich is xedly secured in a suitable perforationpa'ssing' transversely through the switch 1rod 4l. Th'e'downward and upward movement pfthe switch rod f4 l islguided andhlimitedl by vthe ends of the pin 54 riding in the opposite guide slots 55 formed in the upper frame parts 50h, 59h, of the frame 59. As shown in the drawings and in particular in Figs. 3 and 5, the snap spring 49 is held in position at its rim portion 49a as by the oppositely disposed annular rings 56, 51, and 'tightened bythe nuts '58, 58., of the screw bolts 53, 59, passing through the :spacer sleeves 66, 65, thereby predeterminedly locating the snap spring 49 with respect to its carriage 5l.

'-Ihe actuating switch rod 4l is associated with the snap spring 49 by a lost motion connection therewith, asby providing a reduced portion 4Ia of the 'switch rod A:il which is passed through an opening in the 'central portion 49h, see also Fig.

8, of the snap spring 49, the effective extent of such Ilost motion being calibrated by suitable means. One such form of such calibration is had, as "shown in the drawings and in particular Figs. 3 and 5, by the provision of the threaded end fll'i; vof the `:reduced .rod portion =4Ia, Ithe threads of which :mate with Athe :inner threads of :thehead 'of fthe hollow 'screw f'l, the external threads :of which imate vwith fthe threading :of the gcontact carrying assembly, designated generally 62, supporting the fshorting -bar /4-8 and the circuit -:breaker contacts 46, A41.

As shown, v.particularly in Figs. 3 and '5, the snorting :bar l4t :is `suitably :insulated from the switch rod iassembly, 4as by 'the insulating plates 63.

4.associated vwith such Isnap 4spring Y4-9, vis `a coll spring 64, which extends :from the vupper face of the fcentralportion 49bof kthe-snap spring F49 againstiwhichfitsione end Aabuts, the-'opposite-.iend off-the coil "spring 64 abutting =againstlthe-lower face 2:65 :of 'the enlarged, -i. e. main, 'fbody portion of uthe switch -rod 4l.

Assuming that'it is :desired tto :set 'thercircuit breakerin :its circuit-closing position, the ereeset button 49 is depressed whereby therswitch .rod 4I .is 'forced downwardly, feausing 1a f'coritraction of A.the coils 'of thei'coi'l vspring iijbyfdirectfconv lution-'toeconvolution engagement; 'the central .portion 495 `of vthe "snap spring 'Q49 iis `:thereby iiexed 4;downwardly, funtil ythe-.contacts @45, it?, are brought into `engagerri'ent with the bus i contacts 44, #4.75. -:Asfis more lsp'eciiilcally :described herein a-ter,.suitable latching mechanism is provided forfmaintairiing theswitchsrodf/il the l:circuit breakerfcontacts dit, ,in .circuit-closing position. vfisirzli :latching mechanism :fis responsive :to reverseecurreitticcnditionfand-actsrtofunlatchithe switch rod 4i and thereby to release the-'circuit breaker. '.So funlatehed, fthe :switch fred lbreaks thecircuit underth'e influencerofthesnap spring flio'fand :associated :coil vfspring 'i instantly separate-'s lthe 'contacts 469 ,'-witli oec't Ito =-the bu`s=contacts P44, 45. Also, fsimultane usiyftherewith the v"generatori field coil:y circuit isi interrupted by separation o'f the #Contact strip 35, fcarried by the button?"4ii,fiornl engagementavi'thithecontacts L34, 35

`V.Assuming the ysnap Yspring 149 to tbe one' having la :position of "stable equilibrium, fthe -sna spring -ispositioned ito? be in unstable :veq'uil-i l when the circuit? breaker' is ilatched, "if e., I'inits nXed rim portion, thereby forcibly acting directly against the now compressed coil spring Sli', whereupon the coil spring is released in expansion and combines with the flipping central portion 49o of the snap spring to snap the body portion of the switch rod Il! upwardly, and therewith correspondingly elevate the carriage 5I and dislodge the snorting bar d8 and its contacts (it, 41, from engagement with the load circuit contacts M., d5, thereby throwing the circuit breaker into its circuit-opening position.

Such upward movement oi the switch rod el is guided by its pin iid riding in the oppositely disposed guide slots 5t, 55, of the frame part 50h.

Advantageously, the lower portion of the switch rod assembly is also guided in its upward and downward movements, as by utilizing the insulation plate 53 to extend within the oppositely disposed wide slots or openings t5, 55, in the lower part of the frame 59.

As an effective form of latching mechanism for the switch rod il, there is provided the latching lever li), shown of yoke form, which is positively connected with minimum friction with the switch rod 4|, as by rotative engagement with the stated pin 5d. The latching lever Fil is shown pivotally mounted on a pivot pin il, see Figs. 3, 9 and l0, bearing at its opposite ends in the oppositely disposed pivotal openings S2 in the respective opposite sides of the upper frame part 56h. Associated with such latching lever l! is a clapper arm le, shown of S-shape, pivoted at its center of mass, indicated in Fig. 1 at lll, as by pivot rivets lil passing through registering pivot openings, as shown, in the bracket arms lli, 16, connected to or integral as extensions of the frame ll', which is suitably secured at its feet to the insulation base 2G. Ccaction of the latching lever 'l0 with the clapper arm i3 is shown attained by the provision of a detent, preferably in the form of a roller l5, positioned upon the clapper arm assembly to be engaged by the arcuate nose la of the latching lever lil. By reerence to Fig. l0, which illustrates the latching lever l0 in unlatched position relative to the switch rod fill, it will be observed that the arcuate face of its nose lila is moved upwardly, when the re-set button ill is pushed downwardly (to thereby move the shaft l'i downwardly). The nose 'lila engages the roller lf3 with minimiun friction, causing the clapper arm '13 to be slightly displaced rotatively clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 10, and upon the switch rod il attaining its lowermost position, and thereby rotating the latching lever 'Ell in counter-clockwise direction, its nose 'lila has cleared the roller lil, whereupon due to the self-balancing of the clapper arm T3, presently explained, the clapper arm i3, returns in counter-clockwise movement to position the roller 'i8 into latching relation with the nose ida.

Co-operating with such latching assembly, inclusive or the clapper arm, suitable means are provided whereby the clapper arm is retained in locking position with the latching lever` under condition of normal current flow in the load circuit and actuated to unlock the latching lever under condition of reverse current in the load circuit. Such provision of means is shown by the employment of a permanent magnet i9 and an armature shown in the form of a strip Sli, of suitable magnetic material, preferably soit steel, carried at the lower end of the clapper "i3, and additionally by the provision of a convolution O magnetic material, preferably soit steel, responsive to the current passing through the load circuit, whereby under condition of normal direct current in the load circuit, the combined magnetic field induced by such convolution and the permanent magnet respectively, the armature is attracted and thereby maintains the clapper arm 'i3 in position locking the latching lever it in latched relation with the shaft il of the circuit breaker, and under the condition of reverse current in the load circuit, the armature Si] is displaced, thereby rotating the clapper arm 13 in clockwise direction, releasing the nose 79a of the latching lever and thereby releasing the switch rod il of the circuit breaker, thus opening the circuit breaker and disconnecting the bus section 2l from the bus section Eid, and as above set forth, simultaneously therewith opening the iield coil circuit of the generator 25.

The self-balancing oi the clapper arm 33, referred to above, is att ned by pivoting the clapper arm, inclusive of detent roller '5B and the armature plate 8S, on an axis passing through the center of the combined mass.

As one eiiective manner of cca-ordinating the magnetic field controlling the armature the permanent magnet ES is adjnstably stationarily mounted within the stated frame il, and a convolution embracing the bus section 2i, such convolution, as shown, being in the form of a ilattened C-shape strip 8i of magnetic material, preferably soft steel; a `fiat plate B2 of non-magnetic material, such as brass, is shown bridging the open ends of the C-shaped convolution. The permanent magnet 'is is supported at its pole faces 7M, 19a, upon such flat plate. the poles or" the permanent magnet being positioned whereby under condition of normal current flow through the bus section 2|, the magnetic elds engendered jointly by the convolution il! and the permanent magnet are opposite in direction of magnetic flow, the armature Sii is attracted, and under reverse current new the armature 8c is released. The electro-magnet di is thus inductively coupled to the circuit in the bus sections and is polarized in one sense by current flowing in normal direction and in the opposite sense by current iiowing in reverse direction. Since the xed permanent magnet le, which has its poles disposed adjacent to the respective poles of the electro-magnet el, is polarized to oppose the ux of the electro-magnet when current in the bus sections ows in normal direction, the combined iiux of the two magnets will attract the armature 8S. This is so because the armature provides a passage for the i'lux ci each magnet and is thereby drawn toward the poles of the two magnets. When current flows reversely in the bus sections polarization of the electromagnet is reversed and a passage for the flux of each magnet is provided through the other. Consequently, no flux is required to pass through the armature, which is thereupon released.

The stated C-shape strip 8i is secured in stationary position, as by means of set screws 83, 83, passing through suitable openings in the insulation base 2li. Adjustable positioning of the permanent magnet l5 is attained by the selection of such flat plate of proper thickness from a set of nat plates of variant thicknesses, and by tightening the permanent magnet in position, as by screws tba, carried by the frame 1l, the former engaging the top ci the permanent magnet i9, and the latter laterally thereof, see Figs. 1 and 2.

In recapitulation, having calibrated the per- .manen-t magnet assembly by r`selection of `the proper lthickness ofthe ybrassplate :82, .and as- ,.sumingftheconditionfof normal curr-ent ilow .and the circuit breaker to .-be set .in circuit-closing position, the combined magnetic flux created jointly by the permanent -magnet .and .the electro-magnetic convolution S-I, bythe normal ,direct -current 'ilowing through the bus section 2l., the armature V80 is jointly attracted, vthereby :stabilizing the-clapper .arm 13 in its locking position -Wth ,the latchi-ng member it, thereby latchjingthe switch 'rod -lthus maintaining the re- .lay contacts 46, 4l, :in .-rm engagement with .thebus contacts-61h45. However, under .condi- .tion of reverse current ilowthrough the bus sec- '.tion 2|, '.agreversemagnetic held :is induced by v.the electro-magnetic yconvolution .'l, thereby creating Va magnetic :eldwhich ,aligns with that l.of the permanentmagnet 1.9,wthus reducing Ythe vintensity of the combined magnetic flux effecting the armature 86 to an .extent less than the :force exerted by the lever .arm it through ,the detent, Aor roller, 'i8 upon the Aclapper arm i3, -causing .the vclapper arm -1-3 .to vturn vin vclockwise direction, thereby displacing the armature 3.3, #and coincidentally unlocking vthe .latching Amem- .ber l0, affording the spring .lle and the coil spring .64 to I.jointly snap the switch rod di upwardly, `thereby .throwing the relay to its circuit-open position and concomitantly interrupting the reverse current flow through .the bus section .El --and the generator .2.5. The above stated operations and functions take place independently ,ci ,gravitational effect .upon the `concerned parts.

In consequence of such E.positive 4disconnection ,eld coil circuitindicated .by .theleads 33, .3?, .39, .f

12,9 fand-.3

Itawill be observed that alcomplete.electro-mag- .netic circuit is provided by the C-shaped convolu- Ltion 8| of vsoft-steel, the poles of which are disposed 'spacedly corresponding to but of opposite Epolaritywith .respect to the vpoles of the permanentmagnet,therebyrattaining maximum .attraction of the Varmature under normal .current ilow and instantly.eiectivedisplacement of the arma- .,ture under `reverse current now. vision of the armature .being carried by the self- ;balanced clapper assemblyand its mounting rel- 4:ative to the poles of the permanentfmagnet, 'in- .sure stable .positioningof the clapper armarma- `ture assembly under the condition of no .current 'iiowin the load-circuit, thereby .insuring positive action of latching of the switch rod upon man- .ual or remote resetting of the circuit breaker, .notwithstanding that the circuit breakerparts may be subjected to shock, or other mechanical yvibration .or bodily displacement oi the circuit breaker :as -an entirety, as when installed on .an ,air-plane.

/The `circuit breaker is shown housed within a Lcover ..85 formed'at-its Alateral sides of insulation 86, 86, and ythe remainder of other suitable material, .suchas metal,.or the cover 85 as .a whole .may bemoulded or. otherwise formed of a suitable Aj plastic. The insulating cover side parts 85, 8,5, A,afford supportor the v binding posts 33a, .3111, respectively connected in circuit with .the leads .33, .31, running vto the field coil contacts .34, 36, respectively.

Preferably, as set forth hereinabove, the snap springen .is .of the disk type, shown .in Fig. i8 as Also, -the ,prof circularin theouter andinnerperipheriesof its rim, and having a. plurality ofspokes .which merge centrally at the center portionb of the snap disk spring. Three of such -spokes are .illustrated in Fig. 8. Suchsnap disk spring in its position-of stable equilibrium (in which status .it is when the circuit breaker isfin circuit-open position) assumes an arcuate conguration, that is to say, -the spokes are bowed to van arcuate conguration which continues toand includes the rim. When the circuit breaker isr'e-set in/.its circuit-closing position, the snap disk spring again assumes an arcuateconfiguration whichis the reverse of its stated arcuate conguration. To afford such flexing movement of the rim when the snap disk spring ismounted as hereinabove described, see Figs. .1, Sand 5, a -restrictedgplay of the rim is .afforded by the provision vof .an annular spacer ring 49o, see Figs. .3 and 5, whichis interposed between the Oppositely .located annular clamp rings 56, 5l, the spacerfring-lilic having an .inner diameter greater than .that of the clamp rings 56, d?, to thereby provide a -pocket of restricted dimensions within which the rim of the snap disk spring is restrictedly .held in its flexing 'movement, coincident with the ,ilexing of the spokes of the snap disk spring from .one arcuate configuration to the opposite, and reversely.

We claim:

l. ln a circuit breaker vadapted for a reverse current circuit, .the vcombination of contacts respectively Yconnected with the load circuit; movlable contact means vco-operating with .said ,load

circuit contacts'to closeandopen the load circuit; switch rod means controlling the movementof said'movable contact means; snap spring .means controlling -said switch rod means; latching lever means for holding said switch rod means, .in latchedfposition; .clapper arm means co-operating with said latching lever means to lock'the same in .latched position; an armature carried -by said clapper arm means; means for pivotally mount- .ing said latching lever means; means .pivotally ,mounting said-clapperarmand said armature at their 4combined center o mass to effect self-balancing and stabilization; and ymagnetic means including .a permanent magnetand electromagnetic rmeans :in inductive relation .with the load circuit having their respective adjacent poles of like .polarity .under normal loadcircuit condition controlling said 'armatura whereby, under the condition of passage of 4normal current through t -e loadcircuit, said armature is attracted, whereby ,said clapper arm .is maintained .in stabilized locked relation with said .latching lever means and said latching lever .means .inlatched relation with said switch rod means y.and whereby, under condition of reverse current flow A.through said .load circuit, said armature is .released .thereby unlocking .said latching lever means and releasing said snap spring means Ato throw Ythe circuit breaker to its .circuit-opening position.

.2. In a circuit breaker .adapted for a reverse current circuit, .the .combination vof contacts respectively connected with the load circuit; movable Contact means co-operating with said load circuit contacts to close .and open the .load circuit;

.switch rod means controlling the movement of said movable ycontact means; snap spring .means controlling said switch Arod means.; said snap spring means having a .single position of stable equilibriumand disposedin unstable equilibrium when said switch rod meanseects circuit closure of said movable contactmeans with said load cir cuit contacts; .la'tching lever means 'for .holding said switch rod means in latched position; clapper arm means co-operating with said latching lever means to lock the same in latched position; an armature carried by said clapper arm means; means for pivotally mounting said latching lever means; means pivotally mounting said clapper arm and said armature at their combined center of mass to eiiect self-balancing and stabilization; and magnetic means including a permanent magnet and electromagnetic means in inductive relation with the load circuit having their respective adjacent poles or rlike polarity under normal load circuit condition controlling said armature, whereby, under the condition of passage of normal current through the load circuit, said armature is attracted whereby said clapper arm is maintained in stabilized locked relation with said latching lever means and said latching lever means in latched relation with said switch rod means. and, under condition of reverse current flow through said load circuit` said armature is released thereby unlocking said latching lever means and releasing said snap spring means to throw the circuit breakerto its circuit-opening position.

3. In a circuit breaker adapted for a reverse current circuit, the combination of contacts respectively connected with the load circuit; movable contact means co-operating with said load circuit contacts to close and open the load circuit: switch rod means controlling the movement of said movable contact means; snap spring means controlling said switch rod means; latching lever means for holding said switch rod means in latched position: clapper arm means co-operating with said latching lever means to lock the same in latched position; an armature carried by said clapper arm means; means for pivotally mounting said latching lever means; means pivotally mounting said clapper arm and said armature at their combined center of mass to eiTect self-balancing and stabilization; and magnetic means including a permanent magnet and electromagnetic means in inductive relation with the load circuit controlling said armature, the poles of said electromagnetic means being disposed respectively adiacent the poles of said permanent magnet and respectively of like polaritv under normal load circuit condition, whereby, under the condition of passage of normal current through the load circuit. said armature is attracted whereby said clapper arm is maintained in stabilived locked relation with said latching lever means and said latching lever means in latched relation with said switch rod means. and. under condition of reverse current flow through said load circuit. said armature is released therebv unlocking said latching lever means and releasing said snap spring means to throw the circuit breaker to its circuitopening position.

4. In a circuit breaker adapted for a reverse current circuit, the combination of contacts respectively connected with the load circuit: movable contact means co-operating with said load circuit contacts to close and open the load circuit; switch rod means controlling the movement of said movable Contact means; snap spring means controlling said switch rod means; latching lever means for holding said switch rod means in latched position; clapper arm means co-operating with said latching lever means to lock the same in latched position; an armature carried by said clapper arm means; means for pivotally mounting said latching lever means;

i0 means pivotally mounting said clapper Varm and said armature at their combined center of mass to eiTect self-balancing and stabilization; and magnetic means including a permanent magnet and a convolution of magnetically conducting material embracing a portion of the load circuit controlling said armature, the poles of said electromagnetic means being respectively adjacent the poles of said permanent magnet and of like polarity under normal load circuit conditions, whereby, under the condition of passage of normal current through the load circuit, said armature is attracted whereby said clapper arm is maintained in stabilized locked relation with said latching lever means and said latching lever means in latched relation with said switch rod means, and, under condition of reverse current now through said load circuit, said armature is released thereby unlocking said latching lever means and releasing said snap spring means to throw the circuit breaker to its circuit-opening position. l;

5. Ina circuit breaker adapted for a reverse current circuit, the combination of contacts respectively connected with the load circuit; movable contact means co-operating with said load circuit contacts to close and open the load circuit; switch rod means controlling the movementl of said movable contact means; snap spring means controlling said switch rod means; latching lever means for holding said switch rod means in latched position; clapper arm means co-operating with said latching lever means to lock the same in latched position; an armature carried by said clapper arm means; means for pivotally mounting said latching lever means; means pivotally mounting said clapper arm and said armature at their combined center of mass to effect self-balancing and stabilization; and magnetic means including a permanent magnet and electromagnetic means in inductive relation with the load circuit and having its poles respectively adiacent the poles of said permanent magnet and of like polaritv under normal load circuit condition and means for adjustably mounting said permanent magnet controlling said armature, whereby, under the condition of passage of normal current through the load circuit, said armature is attracted whereby said clapper arm is maintained in stabilized locked relation with said latching lever means and said latching lever means in latched relation with said switch rod means. and, under condition of reverse current flow through said load circuit, said armature is displaced thereby unlocking said latching lever means and releasing said snap spring means to throw the circuit breaker to its circuit-opening position.

6. A reverse current circuit breaker comprising: separate bus sections between which a load line is broker.: a snorting bar for bridging said separate bus sections to close the load line circuit: a switch rod fixed to said shorting bar for moving it into and ont of circuit closing position; a snap spring connected to said switch rod for quickly moving it out of circuit closing position; and a latching lever movable with said switch rod for holding said switch rod in circuit closing position; in combinaion with a pivoted clapper arm: a roller on said clapper arm eccentric to the pivot thereof for engaging said latching lever at one end thereof:` and locking it in circuit closing position: an armature carried by said clapper arm eccentric to the pivot thereof in the same sense as is said roller; and magnetic means vresponsive -tow` current in one direction in saidbus sections: for holding said" cl'aploera` arm imV lockingfpositionv with said rollerf andi said' Ietching lever.

7i A`` reverse current circuit"` breaker comprise ing: separate bussections between which-azloaid line'l is broken; a shortingl" bar for bridging said separated bus sections to close the loadV linef cire. cuit;fa'f,switchrod'xed to said shorting barf for moving'it'into and out of` circuit closingfposi-f tion; a snapspring connected tofsaid' switch-rod frfvquicklyf movingit outof circuitV closingl posi-- tion; and" a latching lever movable With saidswitcli rodfor lfolding'said'switchrod'v in circuit *closing position; in combinationwith a pivot'ed'` said' clapperv arm` eccentric tov the:` pivot@ thereof" a.

in the same sense as is saidroller; an electra-- magnet inductivel'y coupledto the circuit inf said" bus? sections forA polarization in oney sense by current" 'owing inv normal'l directionand? in thev opposite' senseflo'y current owing inlthe reverse direction; and al fixed permanent"v magnet" heur-v ingr-f` itsi poles disposed adjacent to the respective polesli ofil saidl electro-magnetA to opposef the flux" of said`l electromagnet' when current' in the circuitiows: in: normal direction, and aug-mente: the" 30 12 izxf; offv said? electromagneti when current. ows intliei-:circuiti inreverse direction; whereby. currentnowfing in normal direction in the. circuit willi causes' thel opposing flux of" saidV magnets. to seek: a, passagethroughsaid armature. tov draw said?.armature-.towardlthe polesof said magnets andfhold' therollerfon .said .clapper arm in lockinge: ei-'igfagernentfy with;` said latching lever; and Wlierebyv reverse current in the circuit Will reversethe,` flux inlsaid electromagnet thereby provid-ing arpassage' for the ux of each magnet through; the: other to releasesaid' armature and said. pivotediclapperarm. to the pressure of: said letching 'leverr upon saidiroller.

JOSEPH' F: OBRIEN;

JOI-IN1 B.' CATALDO.

REEERENGES. GITED- Thev following references are off recordv in` the filed` of:v this patent:

STATES., PATENTS.

Number; Name: Date'.

570,212l Wurts: Oct: 27,- 1896 1,475,506 Patterson Nov. 27,- 1923 137013440 Chatta: Febr. 5; 1929 1394752362 Walle; Feb. 13,` 1934 000,442? Healis: May '7,1935 0.365295 Pia-th; Apr. '7, 1936 2;182g038f. Soulat-: Dec; 5, 1939 

